Kerala's Highway Dream Derailed: NH-66 Construction Grapples with Triple Threat of Rain, Land Woes, and Labour Unrest

The dream of seamless connectivity along Kerala's coastline is currently overshadowed by a harsh reality: the vital NH-66 expansion project is mired in significant delays. A relentless combination of nature's fury, bureaucratic tangles, and industrial disputes has brought the ambitious highway development to a grinding halt across multiple crucial stretches, particularly impacting the northern districts of Malappuram, Kannur, Kasaragod, and Kozhikode.

For over two months, the monsoon's relentless downpour has effectively drowned out the sounds of construction.

Heavy rains have made it impossible for contractors to proceed with groundwork, leading to prolonged suspensions of activity. This seasonal setback alone has pushed projected timelines back considerably, leaving workers idle and machinery dormant.

Beyond the weather, the project navigates a labyrinthine landscape of land acquisition challenges.

While significant progress has been made in securing land for the 45-meter-wide highway, persistent issues remain. Crucially, land parcels belonging to various government departments, the Waqf Board, and churches have proven particularly difficult to acquire. Complicating matters further are ongoing disputes over compensation amounts, where property owners continue to demand higher valuations, leading to stalemates that prevent work from progressing.

Adding another layer of complexity are the growing rumblings from the labour force.

Strikes have erupted at several construction sites, with workers demanding increased wages. These work stoppages are not isolated incidents but rather a recurring impediment, disrupting the already strained schedules and adding to the frustration of project managers.

Contractors, already battling the elements and land disputes, face their own set of uphill battles.

Sourcing essential construction materials like sand and metal has become a major headache. Supply chain issues, coupled with stringent government regulations on mining and transportation, create chronic shortages. These material scarcities inevitably lead to further delays and escalate project costs, placing immense financial strain on the companies tasked with delivering the highway.

These compounding challenges cast a long shadow over the project's future.

With the original completion deadlines for many stretches set for early 2024, it is now abundantly clear that these targets are unlikely to be met. The state government's proactive intervention is urgently needed to untangle the remaining land acquisition knots and streamline the supply of materials, ensuring that Kerala's crucial infrastructure vision doesn't remain perpetually stuck in the mud.